What the Hell is Going On? HELP.

<p>Demetra, you write with conviction, especially because you’re frustrated, and understandably so. Referring to your original post, I completely get why you’d be questioning the direction of your life. You mentioned how others seem to have already figured it out. As far as I know, at least 50% of people work in something they did not major in, probably more, and myself included. Considering that, you may as well major in whatever you want and figure out the career part afterward or throughout your time at a university. That’s not to say you shouldn’t be thinking about it now, just that you do have more time to consider what you want to work in. You should major simply in what you want to major in. Surely out of psychology, astronomy, all the sciences, English, Engineering, Humanities, Film, there must be 1 or 2 majors you’re interested in. </p>

<p>You seem to dislike your job, or at least the people you work with, and I know you hate the monotony of it. Overall though, you mentioned in a later post how it seems to ground you and keeps you motivated. I’d stick with it and see where it goes, but that’s just me. If you have other, creative passions, I would absolutely keep ruminating about whether you want to pursue them. The question, is actually -when- do you give time to those things? At what point is the timing ideal? Frankly, there’s no correct answer, as we both know. </p>

<p>But I’d recommend when you can. Maybe a summer that you plan to have free from school and work. Although, that would probably seem like a time-crunch, already skewing the purpose. In my opinion, only you can know when it’s a good time to dedicate yourself to other creative pursuits. Often in life it’s tough to have all the cards in place, enough so that other pursuits (outside of Quality Control) often have to lag behind due to other responsibilities, whether to family, money, job/school, etc. Sometimes it’s important to handle everything there first, simply because it will give you more peace of mind, and you’ll feel more free to do what you want. </p>

<p>That said, you might consider that by the time you have some money saved from your job and a Bachelors Degree, you’d be 25 or something, and that’s a long time to wait to pursue other interests. I agree. In actuality time dictates a great deal of decision-making. I’d like to reiterate that only you can know when a good time will emerge to break the monotony of 9-5 life, and to focus on other things outside of school, whether they be career-related or creative or socially. Thus, I’d advise doing it now if you have the time to and feel compelled to, but if you don’t, all you can do is be patient. It’s philosophical really, because considering the answer is that you don’t have the time to, then you question your motivation and logic in doing the routine, and you question whether it’s worth it and/or furthering you in any formative or substantial way. To that, as I’m sure you know, it is substantial, but not necessarily positive or negative. </p>

<p>And so it all comes down to time, and how much longer you can put up with the repetition and absurdity of school, with or without work, combined with the motivation towards or away from other pursuits. </p>

<p>As for not having a compelling story…honestly, your original post was excellent. If I was a reader and read that diatribe against the blind progression - the monotonous, almost ironically primitive way in which the education system drags its students through. It’s slow, it’s tedious, mind-numbing, and time-consuming. I agree with you. Simply for writing with that much frustration and voice, I’d understand that you’re a strong mind. That said, I’m not recommending you write about being frustrated with the way school works lol. I’m saying if you write with that much passion, and convey whatever you write well, that’s what matters. You don’t need an impressive story to burst you into the admit pool. Just show them a piece of your mind. </p>

<p>Regarding myself, I’m 21 years old, and I regret to say I’ve never put my creative pursuits ahead of school/work. That’s not to say I haven’t taken risks and experienced things, I definitely have. However, in terms of career-related pursuits that -I- would genuinely want for myself, I’ve done nothing (and shamefully so) in that regard. In some ways it’s comforting to know I have some idea of where I view myself in the future, at least narrowed down to a few careers, or perhaps some or all over time; in another sense, I sort of dread it because who knows if any are the proper path. But in the end, foreseeing possibilities is obscured by time, and the plan changes frequently over the years, whether willed or spontaneously. And at some point, hopefully relatively soon, I’m going to attempt to stop the grind and do what I enjoy, to create time for those other pursuits/goals. But to me, it still isn’t time yet. You should ask yourself the same question. </p>

<p>On the other hand, the waiting is excruciating, I know. It’s annoying to put up with the same routine, same rote memorization, same habits, and productivity. School is unfulfilling, disenchanting, a handful of meaningful assignments coupled with a ton of busy-work. But it’s all perception. Some people don’t view anything as busy-work. Others that love their major and genuinely do have it figured out, they probably believe every assignment and class is meaningful. So, considering your attitude regarding school and work, I’d suggest continuing to work as it grounds your routine (unless you can’t take it anymore), figuring out what you want to do in school over the next year or so, and ideally mapping out at least some time, if not even a full semester or year (yes, you can take a semester off or two even if you so choose at UC’s) to pursue what you want, OR alternatively, wait and get through work/school and do what you want afterward with the knowledge that you at least have a decent Bachelor’s degree to back you up. I’m assuming that you don’t have time now to add anything else to your schedule. </p>

<p>Btw I didn’t think you were all that arrogant, just perceptive to the structure/meaning and implications of the other post-ers thoughts, which probably irked them, and attuned to your own sense of discretion and skepticism.</p>

<p>emilsinclair9:</p>

<p>Forgive me for such a late response – I just recently read this.</p>

<p>Your post excited boisterous laughter and tears that I don’t think I’ve ever known before in my life. Laughter because it’s how I relieve stress; your post untangled so many painful knots. Thank you thank you…so much. I can go on and on admiring the swag of your writing skill, but I think that would be missing the point. The point is this: my perspective of college confidential has just drastically changed…you are to thank. I left this thread because I couldn’t stand reading all the belligerent remarks; it was tiring and wasteful. </p>

<p>It’s so warming when I can read something that shows true understanding – not just toleration of my sub-par opinions(considering most people tried to correct/dismantle them). You digested so much of what I have said/feel, and you so eloquently walked alongside this old horse and put the harness over me. You’ve persuaded me to change my thoughts on a lot of things that were immobilizing. Waiting is painful, but deciding it isn’t is the only constructive thing to do. And that’s what I’ve decided. It isn’t time for me now, but it could easily be time for me tomorrow….and that’s the terror of having all of these dysfunctional moods that tend to compliment ‘routine’ activities. But – I have established a time that I must make a change – with or without wanting to. And that’s something that’s satisfying me as of right now. Your patience with your own pursuits was encouraging, but a little frightening as well. You mentioned you go/went(?) to UCB, but seem to categorize school into the ‘self-deprecating, get me the hell out of here’ black hole of the mind. I had hoped that Berkeley treated you well, and course content/material was semi-compelling? </p>

<p>I wish I could give you a more conducive response, but I think you know too well what all there is to say about these frustrations. You seem well-rehearsed in diagnosing all of these problems. My only hope is that you continue to help others on here, as you have helped me. If the whole school/work/life balance remains a continual disappointment, atleast you should know that you have made someone feel much more conscientious of what they are capable of. And on a more sentimental, awkwardly-abrasive note, I feel really emotional right now and wish I could play a game of chess with you. Thanks.</p>